☣️ UN 3414 • CLASS 6
UN 3414 — Sodium cyanide, solution
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 157. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
🚒☣️
⚠️ Verification required:
Broad or variable material category; verify exact product, SDS and shipping papers.
⚠️ This page is a quick-reference aid. For real incidents: stage upwind, isolate, deny entry, request Hazmat early, and consult the current ERG + SOP/SOG.
UN 3414 is Sodium cyanide, solution, a highly toxic aqueous cyanide material. The key response concern is preventing contact with acids or heat that can generate hydrogen cyanide gas.
Hazard overview: UN 3414 can be fatal by ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption. Acid contact may release hydrogen cyanide, an extremely toxic gas that can accumulate in confined or low areas. Fire, heating or contaminated runoff may also create toxic and corrosive exposure hazards.
Response guidance: For a UN 3414 release, isolate the area, deny entry, stay upwind and keep acids away from the spill. Stop the release only if it can be done safely with proper PPE, prevent runoff to drains, and use ERG 157 plus product-specific SDS guidance for protective action decisions.
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UN 3414 Quick Details
UN 3414
Product name: Sodium cyanide, solution
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 157 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 157: Small spill isolate 30m; large spill isolate 100m initially, evacuate 500m downwind if toxic vapors released
Common Hazards of UN 3414
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance
- Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases.
- Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air.
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental
- Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive
- UN1802, UN2032, UN3084, UN3093, UN1796 (above 50%), UN1826 (above 50%), and UN2031 (above
- Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars, etc.).
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
UN 3414 is typically a clear to pale yellow aqueous solution. It is already dissolved in water and may have little odor; a faint almond-like odor can indicate hydrogen cyanide but must not be relied upon.
| Also known as | Sodium cyanide aqueous solutionCyanide of sodium solutionCyanogran solutionHydrocyanic acid sodium salt solution |
| CAS Number | 143-33-9 |
| Appearance | Clear to pale yellow aqueous solution with a faint almond-like odor (if HCN vapor present). Liquid at room temperature. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (aqueous solution, non-flammable) |
| Boiling Point | Approximately 100°C (212°F), similar to water depending on concentration |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (aqueous solution, vapor is primarily water with HCN gas) |
| Water Reactivity | Already dissolved in water; releases toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) gas upon contact with acids or when heated |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3414
Extinguishing Media
Water spray to reduce vapors, dry chemical, CO2; avoid strong acids which release deadly HCN gas
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum with full-face SCBA; butyl or nitrile gloves; chemical-resistant suit; cyanide antidote kit on-site
Use SCBA with chemical-resistant suit, gloves and boots. Level B is a minimum for many controlled releases, while Level A is appropriate when vapor generation, confined space entry or high splash exposure is possible.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 157: Small spill isolate 30m; large spill isolate 100m initially, evacuate 500m downwind if toxic vapors released
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 157).
First Actions for a UN 3414 Incident
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
- Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters
- For highlighted materials: see Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
- For non-highlighted materials: increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 3414 — Sodium cyanide, solutionHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3414
Product: Sodium cyanide, solution
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 157
PPE: Level B minimum with full-face SCBA; butyl or nitrile gloves; chemical-resistant suit; cyanide antidote kit on-site
ISOLATION: ERG 157: Small spill isolate 30m; large spill isolate 100m initially, evacuate 500m downwind if toxic vapors released
ACTION: Stage upwind · Isolate · Deny entry · Request HazmatRADIO
Use for: Quick radio or face-to-face size-up. Short, structured, field-ready.
=== IC HAZMAT BRIEFING ===
UN 3414 — Sodium cyanide, solution
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 157
Appearance: Clear to pale yellow aqueous solution with a faint almond-like odor (if HCN vapor present). Liquid at room temperature.
Water Reactivity: Already dissolved in water; releases toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) gas upon contact with acids or when heated
Extinguishing: Water spray to reduce vapors, dry chemical, CO2; avoid strong acids which release deadly HCN gas
PPE: Level B minimum with full-face SCBA; butyl or nitrile gloves; chemical-resistant suit; cyanide antidote kit on-site
Isolation: ERG 157: Small spill isolate 30m; large spill isolate 100m initially, evacuate 500m downwind if toxic vapors released
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance
• Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases.
• Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air.
— First Actions —
• Keep unauthorized personnel away.
• Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
• Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
• Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/sodium-cyanide-solution-un-3414 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
UN3414 Sodium cyanide, solution Cls6 ERG157 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/sodium-cyanide-solution-un-3414SMS / 160 CHAR
Use for: Quick text to command or incoming units. Fits in a single SMS.
⚠️ Quick-reference only. Always use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
Page: https://allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/sodium-cyanide-solution-un-3414
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3414
UN 3414 is Sodium cyanide, solution. It should be identified from shipping papers, markings and the SDS before responders work near the release.
ERG Guide 157 applies to UN 3414 for initial isolation, protective actions and first-response guidance.
UN 3414 is not primarily classified as flammable, but fire may produce toxic or corrosive gases and containers may become dangerous when heated.
Use SCBA with chemical-resistant suit, gloves and boots. Level B is a minimum for many controlled releases, while Level A is appropriate when vapor generation, confined space entry or high splash exposure is possible.
UN 3414 can be fatal by ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption.
For a UN 3414 release, isolate the area, deny entry, stay upwind and keep acids away from the spill.
Sources (high level): DOT/PHMSA marking & class concepts + ERG usage principles.
This page does not reproduce ERG guide text—always consult the current ERG for incident-specific protective actions.